In the Indian state of Maharashtra, buying beef has been made illegal. A New York Times article outlines the political arguments on both sides of India's current diet wars. It would seem that banning meat is a victory for kindness and ahimsa, yes? What happens when you mix in politics with your humanitarianism? Zoo carnivores like tigers must switch to chicken! What about the two-legged tigers?

In an article posted in the UK's The Telegraph, a Canadian child-psychotherapist of 25 years cites her experience dealing with exploding numbers of disturbed children seeking help. She thinks the "pocket rocket" of smart phones with broadband access available to 80% of the children she sees is a contributing cause to troubled youth.

The Islamic Networks Group, ING, based in San Jose, California, released a statement following the violent attacks on the offices of the Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris. In my experience in Interfaith, the ING statement reflects the peace-loving and life-affirming attitude of Muslims around the world, from Malaysia to Mumbai, from Dearborn to Dubai. Please refer people to the ING website should you encounter anti-Islamic reactions to the evil perpetrated by the tiny minority of extremists in France.

ING and its Affiliates nationwide join fellow Americans in extending their deepest condolences to the families of the victims of today’s horrific attack at the offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris today which took the lives of twelve people. No belief, cause, or grievance justifies such senseless violence. We pray that the perpetrators be found and quickly brought to justice. As Muslims, people of other faiths, and leaders across the world condemn this attack, we affirm the following values and principles:

We affirm and uphold the sanctity of all human life, the taking of which is among the gravest of all sins.

We affirm the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and speech.

We affirm the right to security in one’s livelihood, profession, and residence.

We believe that God created us with all the diversity of race, religion, language, and belief to get to know one another, not to despise or hate one another.

We believe that Islam is above all a religion of peace and mercy, and that Muslims are obligated to model those traits in their lives and characters and to work for the good of our homeland and society, wherever that might be.

Recently Bela Shah and Audrey Lin visited the monastery to interview me about life and the price of tea in Taiwan. Richard Whittaker was gracious enough to publish the conversation in his excellent journal, "Works and Conversations." (Issue #29). You can read the results here.